One of the few upsides to California’s drought is that it has helped reduce pollution at some urban beaches, because less precipitation has meant less runoff from city streets and other paved surfaces. This in turn means less pollution draining into streams and bays.

Urban runoff is the number one source of pollution in places like Santa Monica Bay in Southern California. But the city is not relying on drought to help stop the problem. Instead it has taken the lead in implementing solutions, like “green streets” and runoff recycling to catch urban runoff before it hits the bay.

Ever wonder how much recycled water is being created in Orange County? As of September, 2016, the answer is, more than anywhere else. The Orange County Water and Sanitation department announced that they have been able to produce 200 billion gallons of recycled water. That statement, made by officials, is reportedly a “drop in the bucket” for the ground-breaking ability that made this venture the largest project of its kind. The Groundwater Replenishment System is a joint venture between the OC Water District and the OC Sanitation District.

A tropical storm system brought heavy rain into San Diego’s South Bay early Tuesday. The most active area before 6 a.m. was south of Interstate 8 where pop-up storms dumped a lot of rain in a short period. The South Bay was getting pummeled, according to NBC 7’s Whitney Southwick. “It’s all coming from what was Hurricane Paine, now Tropical Storm Paine,” Southwick said. “As it continues north, it will continue to weaken.”

 

Thunderstorms that developed over San Diego County early Monday delivered lightning strikes that may have contributed to several brief power outages and small fires. Between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m., 15 cloud-to-ground lightning strikes were recorded in San Diego County and its coastal waters, according to the National Weather Service. A few small fires broke out around the same time, including in Valencia Park, Logan Heights and Chula Vista, although it was not immediately confirmed that lightning strikes were the cause. A fire weather watch for areas other than the deserts is in effect through this evening.

There’s a romance to the phrase “Pacific Coast Highway” that is for many a burned-into-the-brain vision of wide open, empty bluffs dropping down to the sandy beaches of the California coastline, and the blue Pacific Ocean dotted with surfers. Beauty, open spaces and the beach are often-cited attributes of the Golden State’s coastline. But, there is also an ugly side: dismissals, infighting, community uprisings, backroom dealing, and questions about the California Coastal Commission’s integrity.